Coronation rites of Mesogeia

The Coronation rites of Mesogeia refers to the traditional ceremonies, rites and rituals performed to recognize the accession of a Mesogeian monarch. The most famous, wildly documented, and most notable publicised coronation rite within Mesogeia is of course the ceremony performed to mark the accession of the Mesogeian Emperor, although there are similiar ceremonies performed for the vasssal kings who reign at the pleasure of the Emperor in Alexandropolis.

Coronation rites of the Emperor

Accession

The accession rituals and coronation rites of the Emperor of Mesogeia typically occurs within the span of several months to a year with the wide range of deeply symbolic ceremonies taking several days to complete.

Technically the coronation rites traditionally begins soon after the death of the previous sovereign which is immediately followed by a solemn meeting of the twelve kings of the realm within the great hall of the Acropolis of Alexandropolis where the subnational kings "elect" the sovereign, although the so-called election is merely a formality as the winner of the election is almost always the proclaimed Despot of Morea and member of the reigning imperial house.

With the election certified by the regional kings the emperor designate is raised on a shield by members of the imperial guard and carried into the courtyard of the Magnaura Palace where the Synedrion meets. Within the courtyard of the Magnaura the emperor-designate is recognized by the "Peliganes" ("old men", literally the legislature) as the rightful sovereign who are read the accession speech dictated by the Emperor's close advisors.

After this the new Emperor appears in the Kathisma, the imperial box of the Hippodrome where he is acclaimed by the people (i.e. representatives from the military, the urban and rural regions).

Enthronement in Farsargadae

Since the Azagartian and Mesopontian empire, emperors have been enthroned at Farsargadae in a ceremony dating back to the Azagartian era. Originally this enthronement ceremony occured within the grounds of the old temple shrine of Anaitis, the ancient Mesogeian Goddess of War; after the Apostolic Church became the state religion the center of enthronement shifted from the old temple to the old palace of Farsargadae with the essential proponents remaining unchanged.

By tradition the emperor-designate must remove all his fine clothing and robes and instead put on a simple riding garment said to have been worn by the Padishah Artabanus I, the first Azagartian emperor and pass into a inner chamber. After which the Emperor is offered a plate of fig cakes, a cup of cypress leaves, and a cup of doogh (ayran), symbolizing the empire's humble nomadic origins.

With this sacred initiation rite completed the emperor redons his fine silken robes, and exists into a large open hall where the assembled high personages of the northern realm await him. The monarch is next led to a canopied throne, with a korymbos (a huge oversized celestial crown too heavy to sit on a person's head) hanging down from a golden chain, symbolizing the monarch's assumption of imperial splendor. Once seated the emperor is invested with the regalia of the north which includes a jeweled bow and quiver, a diadem, and an imperial harness.

The investiture complete the sacred fire at Farsagadae is rekindled, signaling for all the sacred fires within the empire to be rekindled, ushering in a new reign.

Coronation in Parisia

After the enthronment rites and rituals in the north are complete, the emperor of Mesogeia undertakes a second far more elaborate and public coronation ceremony within the city of Parisia, which served as the capital of the Mesopontian empire from 21 BC to 330 AD.

A few days before the coronation the new emperor enters the ancient city at the head of a grand procession consisting of the the dowager Empress, the empress consort, members of the imperial family, the government, the imperial court and so on. Upon entering the city the Emperor goes at once to the Chapel of Our Lady the Panagia Acheiropoieta (a miraculous icon said to have fallen from heaven) where the emperor by tradition prays before the sacred image of the mother of God.

After which the Emperor takes up residence in the great Acropolis of Parisia, during which time fines and debts are cancelled, prisoners are released and imperial heralds dresssed in ancient garb read out imperial proclamation in the city squares announcing ithe impending imperial coronation.

On the morning of the coronation the Emperor is dressed in a purple red skaramangion by the beardless members (i.e the eunuchs) of his court who lead him into the Basileus Hall, the great hall of the Acropolis, next the emperor passes into the Octagonal hall, a hall named so for the octagon shape of its domed room. Once inside the Octagonal hall the emperor is greeted by the assembled grandees who wish him ten thousand years. The Emperor and his entourage proceeds to the the Great Syndos "sesssion" Hall, where centuries ago the Senate or Gerousia of the Southern realms once met under the watchful eye of the emperor after their old house had burned down.

Inside the Great Syndos hall the traditional proskynesis is peformed by the assembled personages, nobles and senators alike

After this the Emperor passes into the hall of Guards where the racing factions turned political parties greet the new monarch dressed in elaborate traditional dress, making a proskynesis as the emeperor passes by them.

The Emperor exists the great palace of the acropolis via the Omorfos Stoa ("beautiful portico"), taking his place beneath a huge red and gold canapy supported by forty two generals of the imperial armed forces.